Do you have any great-grandparents who lived through the Great Depression in the United States during the 1930's? If so, they might have stories to tell about terrible dust storms that blackened the skies, from the Midwest to the east coast. Severe drought was a factor in causing this "Dust Bowl" era, but decades of poor farming practices contributed to it, too. In this environmental science fair project, you'll learn about farming methods that help keep dirt from drying up into dust, and help…
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Have you or one of your pets ever been sprayed by a skunk? Hopefully not, but if you have, you probably know that the smell can be very unpleasant and hard to get rid of. There are many "folk remedies" for getting rid of skunk scent, but if you ever do get sprayed by a skunk, how will you know which one to try? In this science project, you will test the ability of various mixtures to remove the bad scent from rags that have been contaminated with bottled skunk scent, and determine which one…
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Chem_p104

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- Less Details

Time Required

Average (6-10 days)

Prerequisites

None

Material Availability

This science project requires purchasing bottled skunk scent. Do not use a live skunk! See the Materials and Equipment list for details.

Cost

Average ($40 - $80)

Safety

Skunk odor has a very strong smell that can cause nausea and vomiting. This project must be done in a well-ventilated outdoor area. Eye protection and protective clothing are required to avoid contact with skin and eyes.

Caves have been used for much more than just exploring throughout Earth's history. Caves have been used for shelter, for religious purposes, and for burial sites. They were even used for food storage, before refrigeration, because they are cool and have constant high humidity. But how are caves formed? What causes those fantastic formations in caves? How do cave formations change as you go deeper in the cave? Get ready for an adventure as you visit a local cave and learn more in this science…
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Geo_p039

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Time Required

Short (2-5 days)

Prerequisites

Access to a cave system

Material Availability

This science fair project requires that you own or can borrow safety equipment, such as a hardhat and sturdy shoes, to wear in the cave.

Cost

Average ($50 - $100)

Safety

In this science fair project you will be visiting caves. Please exercise caution when working in caves because the ground can be slippery. Always stay on prescribed paths. Adult supervision is required. When exploring in caves, always take an adult. Let the authorities in charge of the cave system know about your project and that you will be working in the cave.

Sedimentary rock forms in layers that are deposited one after the other over long periods of time. Oftentimes, sedimentary rock contains fossils and other debris that are deposited within the layers. How do sediments form? How are sediments of different shapes, sizes, and types sorted during the process of sedimentation? Find out in this science fair project!
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Geo_p013

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- Less Details

Time Required

Average (6-10 days)

Prerequisites

None

Material Availability

Readily available

Cost

Very Low (under $20)

Safety

Adult supervision is required when using the coping saw. Always wear safety goggles when working with tools.

Did you ever notice the cool patterns around your footprints when you take a walk in the wet sand at the beach? The pressure of your feet has effects far outside your footprints. Here's a project that uses a simple experimental apparatus to investigate how the volume of wet sand changes under pressure.
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There is evidence to be gathered at every crime scene. The hard part is making sense of it all. That's where crime scene investigators and forensic scientists come in. In this science fair project, you will investigate blood spatter using fake blood. Your job, as an impartial scientist, is to deliver facts so that justice can be served. Are you up to the challenge?
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Phys_p072

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Time Required

Short (2-5 days)

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of trigonometry is required. For a refresher, check out the trigonometry reference listed in the Bibliography.

Material Availability

Readily available

Cost

Low ($20 - $50)

Safety

This topic of inquiry can be a little scary. If you are at all squeamish, then do not attempt to research the topic or do this science fair project. Always have an adult with you when you are doing your research, especially if you are doing research online. Adult supervision is required.

Every criminal leaves behind evidence at the crime scene. The trick to catching the criminal is collecting all of the evidence and making sense of it. This is what the forensic expert does. In this science project you will be correlating the size of blood stains to the distance they fell, but do not get too grossed out. You will be doing it with fake blood. If you like figuring out mysteries, this is the science project for you!
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Phys_p066

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- Less Details

Time Required

Very Short (≤ 1 day)

Prerequisites

None

Material Availability

Readily available.

Cost

Low ($20 - $50)

Safety

This topic can be a little scary. If you are squeamish, you may want to choose another topic. Adult supervision is required when doing background research, especially online, on this topic.

Have you ever been in an earthquake? What did it feel like? Did you jiggle back and forth? Up and down? Was there a jolt? Or a rolling motion? Come build a house Hansel and Gretel would love to eat, a special table to shake it on, and see how different soil types can amplify shaking.
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CE_p023

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- Less Details

Time Required

Average (6-10 days)

Prerequisites

None

Material Availability

Readily available

Cost

Low ($20 - $50)

Safety

Children who are allergic to peanuts should substitute a safe alternative for the peanut butter.

Earth, the Sun, wind, and water are all sources of renewable and sustainable energy—and sources you probably already know about. But did you know that you can get energy from such things as banana peels, coffee grounds, and newspaper? In a process called composting, you can transform kitchen and other solid wastes into a product that is beneficial for your garden: homemade fertilizer. As the waste decomposes, it also creates heat. Can this naturally created heat be put to use? In this…
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Energy_p035

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- Less Details

Time Required

Very Long (1+ months)

Prerequisites

Making a compost pile can take anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks, depending on the method and bin you use. In this energy and power science fair project, you will spend a few days creating a compost pile. You will have to account for the time as you are planning your science fair project. You will also need to be home for several hours at a time on many specific days throughout this project. Read through the Experimental Procedure for more details.

Material Availability

You (and friends, if possible) will have to start collecting potato peelings or grass clippings a few weeks in advance to accumulate enough, so keep this in mind when budgeting time for your science fair project. See the Materials and Equipment list for details.

Cost

Very High (over $150)

Safety

Wear safety goggles and use caution when working with all tools. Be sure to wear disposable gloves when handling animal waste and to clean all of the work surfaces thoroughly with a bleach solution. Read the Science Buddies [# ProjectGuide Name="Advanced.MicroorganismsSafetyGuide" Value="HtmlAnchor" HtmlText="Microorganism Safety Guide" #] to learn how to experiment safely.

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